$1 billion of building work signed off

Of that, $645 million was residential building and $351 million was non-residential.

Year-on-year, the number of new dwellings was up 3.6%. But the number fell 3.8% from December, on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

Without apartments, the drop was 7.5%.

There were 1793 dwelling consents issued in January, including 314 for apartments.

Auckland had the largest number of consents, at 482 including 112 apartments. It was followed by Canterbury, with 467, including 42 apartments, and Waikato with 180, including 72 apartments.

"The trend for new dwellings is rising and is at its highest level since July 2007. Excluding apartments, the trend is flat," Statistics NZ business indicators manager Neil Kelly said.